Carolyn's Comments:

Mood: Tired

Rant: Just to make conversation, I think I've made Cedric a very likeable character. He's finally starting to mature in this chapter. He gives up at great personal sacrifice to see his friends happy. I really like his character.

(SPOILER WARNING)

And by the way, in the latest 'Cirque Du Freak' book, 'Killers of the Dawn' my favorite character died. I'm in mourning. I'm sorry, I know he wasn't the most likeable character to most people. Most fans of the series considered him to be a grumpy old fart. And that was true in some cases, but I still liked his character a lot, though I could never properly explain why. Have you ever had that happen to you? You read about a character, and suddenly you want to meet them and have a real conversation with them just to see how they would react to you and your life? That's what this character did for me. I still love the series, it's changed my life and made me confident enough to pursue writing, but it feels like a part of it is dead now. So even though he's not real, and we never met in real life, Larten Crepsley, I salute you. Even in death may you triumph.

(END SPOILER)


Mia followed Cedric, her heart beating hard in her chest. She knew this was coming. She knew that Cedric wouldn't be able to ignore her for long. He was going to talk to her about the kiss, and Mia would listen to him, forgive him, and try to put up with her guilt again.

She wasn't expecting him to suddenly stop in the middle of the hall and to say "I've decided to give up on you."

Mia shook her head unbelievingly. Cedric had never said that before. She had a feeling he was there to apologize to her, but she never thought he'd come right out and admit defeat. "What?"

"I've decided to give up on you. The love I feel for you is not only putting my friendship with you in jeopardy, but my friendship with Riku as well. So I'm giving up."

Mia started to let out a sigh of relief, then she stopped and drew it back in. "What does this have to do with what Cronos told you?"

"He told me to accept your choice and move on with my life. He said I can't brood forever and to be glad to have you as a friend and nothing more." Cedric said. "He's right. He's very wise. One that has lived as long as him would be of course, but..." He shook his head. "And I'm sorry for kissing you that time. I didn't know what else to do. It felt like I was standing on the edge of a cliff, and the I figured 'what the hell' and just jumped."

Mia was shaking now. She could feel the sobs building up in her chest, try as she might to hold them down.

"I was a fool not to see it sooner." Cedric said smiling weakly. "You love Riku and not me. I can accept that. It'll be hard, but I think I'll be okay. So don't waste time worrying about me-"

"I'M SORRY!" Mia burst out. Tear were running down her freckled face as Cedric looked on, surprised. She was shaking and crying now. "I do like you Cedric. I like you a lot. But...it's not love. It's not what I feel for Riku. I'm sorry."

Cedric smiled sadly and place a hand on her shoulder. "Mia, it's can't be helped. I can't change how you feel about Riku, nor can I change what he feels for you."

Mia looked gratefully up at her friend. She was so glad he finally understood; but at the same time, he looked so sad she thought her heart would beak.

Cedric seemed to be thinking something over. Then he hesitantly asked. "Just do me one favor, Mia. Let me be in love with you for one last moment." He drew her tightly into his arms. She didn't fight or pull away like she would've normally done; she just let him hold her.

"I love you, Mia." He said softly. "I always will." He released her, and in doing so he released a part of his past. He stepped back and looked at her. "It's been settled now. We must get ready for the ceremony."

Mia smiled through her tears. "Yeah." She turned and began to walk away. Cedric watched her go with sorrow in his eyes.

With each step she took Cedric could feel the love for her leaving his heart, leaving behind only feelings of friendship and trust. It made him feel sick in his stomach. It had been a wondrous feeling; loving someone that much. It had once consumed him; filling him with rare warmth and joy. He would be a shoulder for her to cry on in hard times, he would listen to her problems if she came to him with them, and he would always look after her.

That was all.

Nothing more.

"Goodbye, Mia." He said silently. He turned, and headed back to his own room, ready to perform his own duties in the ceremony.

Tira felt half-dead as she slumped through the halls. She supposed she should be happy; today was the day of the ceremony. They were finally going to lock up the darkness once more. She should've been running and jumping; she should've been singing.

Ansem's son.

"It's alright. It'll be over soon. Cedric will go back home when this is over, and I'll never have to think about him again."

"Tira, you've been sulking all day. What's wrong?"

Tira turned around. Raphael had come across her, as was staring at her with solemn eyes. It was as if her twin could feel her pain as if it were his own.

She looked away from him. "Cedric really is Ansem's son, isn't he?"

She didn't need to look at Raphael to know that he was nodding. "It is as I told you."

Tira grimaced. "How? Cedric's so kind, I can't believe it."

"He can't change where he came from. He can't undo the sins of his father. He can only live with it and try to forget."

Tira wiped her forehead with her hand. "I just don't know what to think."

"Cedric isn't as different as his father as you seem to think." Raphael went on. "He once nearly gave himself to the darkness the same way his father did. He commanded the Heartless when his father died. Though he was possessed, he still has Ansem's weakness. He could be drawn into the shadows again, and that will mean pain for him and anyone who gets near him. That is why I've pushed him away from you." He sighed. "Though now I think I might've been too harsh on him."

Tira shuddered. Cedric had fallen; Cedric had once succumbed to the Heartless. It could happen again. It could easily happen again.

When she turned to Raphael again, he was looking miserable. "I haven't been there for you recently, have I?"

Tira shook her head. "It's alright. I understand. You've been busy; you've got a lot to do."

"That's no excuse." He said shaking his head. "I'm your twin brother, I should be taking better care of you."

"I'm not a child, Raphael."

"True," He admitted, "But I have been a poor excuse for a brother lately. We have drifted apart, haven't we?" He placed a hand on his sister's shoulder. "But don't worry. Things will get better soon. I promise, things will be normal again."

That was Tira's great hope put into words. She almost cried with relief. He brother realized how much his negligence hurt her and he was going to fix it. He would go back to normal again and it would all be as it was before. She clung to her sibling, shaking. All thoughts of Cedric were gone from her head. She was going to get her brother back! It would all be okay in the end; she just knew it.

Raphael's expression remained troubled. He couldn't shake the feeling that he'd overlooked something; something vital.